Thought processes and conversations started under the tilted cap of Tropicana Field. Someday everyone will know the Rays play in St. Petersburg, Florida, not TAMPA, or the fictitious city of TAMPA BAY.

Rays Win First American League East Title

Complete Worst-To-First Season With First AL East Division Title

RAYS CLINCH TITLE IN EARLY A.M.

They had to wait a day, and did not get it the way they might have dreamed about, but the Tampa Bay Rays can now lay claim to the American League East Divisional Championship. With the Rays loss against the Detroit Tigers tonight 6-4 in front of 39,617 fans in Comerica Park. The Rays thought they might have to get it done on the field again on Sat. night against the Tigers.

But a Boston Red Sox, 19-8 loss against the New York Yankees clinched the title for the 11 year old Rays. Manager Joe Maddon and a few of the players remained in the clubhouse at Comerica Park to watch the Red Sox game. Others watched it at Detroit’s MGM Grand and back at the team hotel.

Players and coaches, some of whom had left the park and then returned in anticipation of the party they had been awaiting, sprayed champagne and beer to commemorate their achievement.

The scene in the clubhouse at Comerica Park suggested the Rays didn’t mind at all that they couldn’t clinch on their own terms. The early morning party more than made up for the way the Rays met defeat Friday night.

Tampa Bay, which had never won more than 70 games in a season, became the first team other than Boston and New York to win the division since Baltimore did it in 1997. The Rays also became the first AL team in the divisional era to finish with the worst record in its league then win its division in the following year, according to Stats, LLC. Atlanta in 1991 and the Chicago Cubsin 2007 also accomplished the feat

The Rays’ Division Series playoff opponent will shake out in the final weekend of the season. Winning the AL East assured the Rays they will begin the playoffs at home against the winner of the AL Central — either the Twins or the White Sox — while Boston, the Wild Card winner, will head to Anaheim to play the Angels, who will finish with the AL’s best record.

I will get some photos in the morning from the news sources and update this blog. But as of right now at 1:32 A.M. I have only the result for you, and no photos.

My Man, I am sitting here soaked with Bud Light and a few other concoctions near the pool area at the MGM Grand in Detroit right now. I came up here on a whim today, and thank god they have not squirted my laptop yet. I am actually huddled in a corner right now trying to write my three blog entries and then commense to partying again.

I am here with a few friends of the team, and with a few players who came back to this hotel to watch the game in the sports bar. I have never loved a Yankees more than I do right now, but still will not kiss one.

Seriously, This is not as good a celebration as we saw at the Trop., and at Ferg’s after the game. But I will take it and know that the hurting in my head in the A.M. will be well worth it all.

Fist Bump to you buddy and hope to see you at the Trop on Wed., or Thursday for the first game of the Playoffs

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